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Labour Minister Pushes for Crackdown on Undeclared Work in Cyprus

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 23, 2024

The Labour Minister of Cyprus has announced a concerted effort to tackle the widespread issue of undeclared work, which has long been a challenge for the Cypriot economy. To formalise the labour market and safeguard workers’ rights, the Ministry is pushing forward new measures aimed at cracking down on employers who engage in illegal employment practices, including failure to declare workers, pay fair wages, or contribute to social security.

The campaign, which is part of a broader government initiative to enhance labour rights and ensure compliance with employment laws, seeks to address both the economic and social impact of undeclared work. With undeclared employment affecting a significant portion of the workforce, particularly in sectors such as construction, hospitality, and domestic services, the Labour Ministry has made it a top priority to enforce stricter regulations and penalties.

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Undeclared Work: A Persistent Challenge

Undeclared work, often referred to as the “shadow economy,” is a global issue that has long plagued Cyprus. It encompasses a range of illegal employment practices, including the hiring of workers without contracts, underpayment of wages, and failure to contribute to social insurance schemes. For years, such practices have not only deprived workers of their legal rights and protections but also cost the government millions in unpaid taxes and social security contributions.

In Cyprus, the problem has been particularly pronounced in sectors that rely heavily on seasonal or informal labour. Construction, tourism, agriculture, and domestic services have been identified as industries where undeclared work is more common, with many workers vulnerable to exploitation due to lack of proper oversight or enforcement.

According to government estimates, undeclared work in Cyprus accounts for a considerable portion of the labour market. This not only weakens workers’ protection but also creates unfair competition between businesses that follow the rules and those that cut costs by circumventing legal employment obligations.

Stricter Enforcement and Penalties

To address these challenges, the Labour Ministry is introducing stricter enforcement mechanisms, including more frequent inspections of workplaces, harsher penalties for employers found violating the law, and enhanced cooperation between government agencies responsible for labour and tax compliance. Employers who are caught engaging in undeclared work may face heavy fines, legal action, and, in some cases, closure of their businesses.

The Ministry also aims to strengthen workers’ awareness of their rights through information campaigns. By educating workers about their entitlements, including the right to minimum wage, insurance, and other legal protections, the government hopes to reduce the number of people falling victim to exploitative practices.

Moreover, the use of digital tools to track employment data and improve transparency within the labour market is also part of the government’s long-term plan to combat undeclared work. These technological measures are expected to make it easier for authorities to detect and address violations more efficiently.

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Only 1% Of Cyprus Farms Use Precision Farming Technologies

Cyprus remains one of the European Union’s least digitised agricultural economies, with just 1% of farms using precision farming technologies in 2023, according to Eurostat.

The findings come as the EU continues to encourage the adoption of digital tools aimed at improving agricultural productivity, efficiency and sustainability.

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Internet Access Expands, But Digital Uptake Lags

Internet access has improved across the bloc, although adoption remains uneven. Eurostat found that 43% of EU farms had internet access in 2023, with northern and central European countries leading the way.

Denmark, Germany, Slovakia, Latvia, the Czech Republic and Austria all reported internet access rates above 90%.

Greater connectivity, however, has not translated into widespread digital adoption. Farm management information systems, which help farmers manage day-to-day operations, were used by only about 11% of EU farms. France was a notable exception, with around 60% of farms using the technology.

Precision Farming Concentrated In Larger Operations

Robotics adoption also remained relatively limited, with only about 7% of EU farms using robotic technologies. Overall, around 18% of farms with utilised agricultural area employed at least one precision farming technology or practice in 2023.

These included robotics for plant protection, band spraying, variable-rate application, precision crop monitoring and soil analysis. Despite representing fewer than one in five farms, these holdings accounted for around 44% of the EU’s utilised agricultural area.

The figures suggest that precision farming remains concentrated among larger agricultural businesses, where investment in digital technologies is typically easier to support.

Cyprus Lags Behind EU Leaders

Luxembourg, Finland and Estonia recorded the highest shares of utilised agricultural area managed by farms using precision farming technologies, each exceeding 75%.

At the other end of the ranking, Cyprus recorded just 1%, while Greece and Romania reported between 10% and 15%. The results indicate that Cyprus remains at an early stage of digital adoption in agriculture, even as precision farming becomes more widespread across parts of the European Union.